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February 16, 2006

FIGURE SKATING CHAMPION MICHELLE KWAN TO SERVE AS CELEBRITY REPRESENTATIVE AND SPOKESPERSON FOR DISNEY

BURBANK, Calif., February 16, 2006

Michelle Kwan, the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, will serve as a celebrity representative and spokesperson for businesses across the entire range of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), it was announced today by Matt Ryan, senior vice president, Brand Management, The Walt Disney Company. Earlier this week, with a magnanimous gesture that exemplified sportsmanship, selflessness and respect for her sport, Michelle Kwan withdrew herself from the 2006 Winter Olympic Games due to injury.

As part of the multiyear agreement, Kwan may participate in advertising, promotions or public service announcements involving all of Disney's businesses, make guest appearances on original programming and personal appearances at live Disney events, and take part in Disney's company-wide initiatives.

"Professionally and personally, Michelle is a true champion. While her magnificent artistry on the ice has been applauded the world over, she also sets the standard for grace and dignity, which truly accounts for her universal appeal," said Ryan. "We at Disney are honored to be associated with Michelle and know that her unique style and commitment to quality will be enjoyed and appreciated by our audiences everywhere."

Kwan authored the motivational book The Winning Attitude! What It Takes To Be A Champion and contributed to the fictional book series Michelle Kwan Presents Skating Dreams published by Disney Publishing Worldwide and has appeared in Disney and ABC television specials. Michelle starred in the primetime TV special Reflections on Ice: Michelle Skates to the Music of Disney's Mulan, which was selected as the best-produced skating special of 1998-99.

In her career, Kwan has won an unprecedented 43 championships, including five World Championships, eight consecutive and nine overall U.S. National Championships and two Olympic medals. She is the only woman in figure skating history to reclaim the World title three times, and she holds or shares nearly a dozen U.S. records. Kwan began skating at the age of five and won her first competition when seven years old.

(source: Disney Corporate)

ed note: Could we see Ms. Kwan at the grand opening of the refurbished Pirates attractions in Anaheim and Orlando? Stay tuned...
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UPDATE

Long-time Disney executive Marty Sklar has stepped down as vice chairman and principal creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering. Sklar, who has spent the past fifty years working for Disney, will assume the position of "Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Imagineering Ambassador," a role that was apparently created for Sklar and that has yet to be clearly defined.

Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, issued the following memo in regard to Sklar's contribution to the company and his future within the company:

After 50 years of exemplary service with The Walt Disney Company, Marty Sklar, Vice Chairman and Principal Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, has agreed to serve as Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Imagineering Ambassador. This new role will enable us to continue to leverage Marty's unrivaled experience and passion for Disney creativity and imagination. As we have seen during the course of the Happiest Celebration On Earth, our Guests' devotion to our stories, characters, parks and resorts is incredibly strong and heartfelt; and there is no individual better suited than Marty to connect with those emotions and represent the innovative spirit of Imagineering.

Marty has played a key role in the creation of every Disney theme park and resort around the world, including the original Disneyland. In fact, he joined the Company just one month before the official grand opening of Disneyland. His close working relationship with Walt Disney, as well as his immeasurable contributions to the development and evolution of Walt Disney Imagineering as a ground-breaking creative organization, were officially recognized when he was named a Disney Legend in 2001.

Marty and I agree that the world-renowned creativity that elevates and separates Disney in the minds of our Guests is in excellent hands. We have no doubt that the creative leadership team of WDI, including Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and Senior Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering; Anne Hamburger, Executive Vice President for Disney Creative Entertainment; Bruce Vaughn, Vice President R&D; and Wing Chao, Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific Development, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Executive Vice President, Master Planning, Architecture and Design, Walt Disney Imagineering, will ensure that our parks, resorts and other venues carry on our tradition of imagination and ingenuity.

WDI and Disney Creative Entertainment will continue to attract and partner with great creative talent, and will continue to evolve in order to create and deliver the next generation of Disney storytelling. In addition, we look forward to the energy and insight Imagineering will get from John Lasseter in his new role as Principal Creative Advisor.

Just as it is impossible to describe the breadth and depth of Marty's contributions to Imagineering, no words can truly express the gratitude we have for his unwavering commitment to Imagineering and The Walt Disney Company. Please join us in congratulating Marty on his golden anniversary with the Company in June and the new role he will play as we move forward.

In a memo, Sklar said "I knew that as my 72nd birthday and my 50th Disney anniversary approached, I would look for new challenges. So when Jay Rasulo asked me to talk about the future, I was 'all ears' to a challenging proposal...It not only seems to be one of those ideas that is overdue, but it was clear to me that I am the perfect casting (perhaps the only candidate) capable of originating and organizing this assignment."

(source: Hollywood Reporter and unnamed sources)
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